location: lough neagh
participants: 2 (Evan, John)
craft: general purpose kayaks
weather: varied

early frosty morning, paddled out of sixmilewater; lough was glassy still.  past the torpedo platform, practising paddling in a straight line. 
as we approached the castle there was a slight breeze.
Turned, at Shane's castle and headed back along the shore.  wind picking up. 
by the time we got back into the river the waves were breaking over the bow of the boat.
surfed into the river, and paddled up to the bridge at the castle gardens, practising turning strokes.

location: Portmuck

participants: 3 adults (Robert, Evan, John)
craft: sit-on-top (2) & playboat
weather: calm

put in from beach at portmuck
paddled round muck island
Robert fired up the barbecue and we practised technique - draw strokes, sweeps, bow rudder in both playboat and SOT.

location: Dundrum Bay
craft: general purpose kayaks & playboats
participants: Evan, Paul, John + Piggin' paddlers
weather: calm.

met at dundrum bay, paddled to bridge.  tide was coming in.
practiced paddling in moving water, breaking into and out of eddies
and paddling in a straight line.
useful experience, if a little beyond my ability at this stage.

locaton: Kankakee river, IL

participants: 4
craft: open canoes (2)
weather: calm, hot.

organised by Reed Canoe trips
Although this trip is equal in mileage to Trip 1, it will take somewhat longer to negotiate the distance. The first half of the 12-mile stretch from Momence to Aroma Park is studded with numerous small islands and meanders through narrow channels, providing a very scenic trip. Numerous sandbars along the way are inviting spots for swimming breaks.

location: Kankakee river (Illinois)

participants: 2
craft: open canoe
weather: calm, mild

organised by Reed Canoe trips
12-mile journey through sweeping river bends in the scenic stretch from the City of Kankakee to the Kankakee River State Park. The “Indian Caves,” a limestone canyon on the Perry Farm park at Bourbonnais, is a popular stop for shore exploration.